Taking Care of Your Printer and Printer Ink Cartridges

Just like any other machine, printers need care and regular servicing and maintenance. However, many people remember their printers only when they need to print something, when the paper jams or when the print quality is lower than expected. Printers can run into very problems that, if left to accumulate, can lead to the printer not responding as expected. The good news is that these problems are easy to troubleshoot and solve.

Poor quality of printouts is perhaps the most common printer problem. The printer may at times print documents with a few missing lines resulting in stripped font. The problem is caused by dried up printer ink cartridges, a result of not using the printer for some time. Printing regularly (at least twice per week) will prevent the printer nozzles from drying up. If you have no document to print, you can run a test print in draft mode to keep the nozzles alive.

Ensure your printer stays clean. Dirt causes almost 50% of printer problems. Clean your printer every now and then both on the inside and the outside. You should also make sure you place your printer in a dust free zone. If this is not possible, keep your printer covered with a cloth or a plastic bag when you are not using it.

Do not use counterfeit products in your printer. Low quality printer ink cartridges can be very messy, not to mention that they produce low quality printouts. Avoid buying cheap, unreliable cartridges and instead buy remanufactured or compatible cartridges from a reliable source. Remanufactured cartridges are as good as new since they undergo quality control procedures making them cheap but also high quality.

Do not use papers that are old, dirty or tattered, or paper that has been used previously. Such paper will ruin the quality of print and may also leave dust on the inside of the printer. Also make sure you buy the recommended paper quality and size. Low quality paper may lead to paper jams or may produce poor quality printouts. Consult your vendor for instructions on where to buy the right paper for your printer.

Store printer ink cartridges in a plastic bag if you know you will not be using the printer for some time. Include a damp sponge in the plastic bag to make sure there is enough humidity to avoid drying up the cartridge. Store the cartridges in different plastic bags to avoid mixing of colors. The plastic bags containing the cartridges should be stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight.

Don't wait till you use the last drop of printer ink in your cartridge before having it refilled or replaced. This is not recommended since it can lead to print burn out. Replace or refill your cartridge when the ink starts fading or when you notice missing lines in your printouts. To avoid disappointments, buy several remanufactured ink cartridges to have on hand as backup.

3 Alternatives to HP Ink Cartridges

HP printers consistently obtain top awards for quality in printing and imaging, and it is a well-known fact that the overall value of acquiring and using a printer is directly related to HP ink cartridges. Each brand has distinct strengths and qualities, and there is a vast network dedicated to providing products and services for home and business users that increase their return on investment on hardware while keeping the overall cost of use at its lowest margin.  When it comes to cost savings, there are many options to choose from that provide vivid colors and high overall printing quality.

1. Re-manufactured Ink Cartridges
HP ink cartridges are categorized by the model of printer they were made to serve. The term ‘re-manufactured’ is tech industry jargon, meaning recycled and reprocessed. There are many benefits associated with the purchase of re-manufactured products: lower price, environmental consciousness, and higher printing output. Low price is always a given when choosing alternative routes, especially if budgeting demands maximizing resources.  When you use re-manufactured ink cartridges, the positive environmental effects are remarkable, mainly due to the reduced waste of raw materials such as plastic.  Printing output is increased; re-manufactured cartridges typically house more ink, and so an exponentially higher ink to cost ratio drastically lowers the cost per page.

2. Ink Cartridge Refills
From professional services to do-it-yourself kits, this popular way of extending the life of a cartridge is of the utmost importance when considering saving money on printing costs. Instead of throwing out an empty cartridge, it can be filled again and again with quality ink, extending its own lifecycle with remarkable savings both in cartridges and total ink pricing. Statistics show an approximate 70% reduction in printing costs when a family, individual or business opts to refill their cartridges.

3. Compatible Ink Cartridges
Substitutes for HP ink cartridges can be found at reduced prices. There are generic or alternative brands which can be used instead of branded cartridges. There is a wide range of compatible options to choose from, and they are always more frugally sound than their branded counterparts. The extremely economic compatible cartridge is best suited for a large production of printed materials, requiring massive output at a low cost per page.  Compatible ink cartridges, especially those produced and distributed by a reputable source, are of comparable quality to the branded option.

These three choices are available according to needs and budget.  Color consistency and print accuracy are standard across ink cartridges nowadays. From massive savings to quality output, refilled, re-manufactured, and compatible ink cartridges cater to the demands of market consumers who wish to maximize their investments in imaging and printing.